/ri fawr"meuh tawr'ee, -tohr"ee/ , adj., n., pl. reformatories .
adj.
1. serving or designed to reform: reformatory lectures; reformatory punishments.
n.
2. Also called reform school . a penal institution for reforming young offenders, esp. minors.
[ 1580-90; reformat ( us ) (see REFORMATION) + -ORY 1 , -ORY 2 ]